Keyword index · Updated

Medical licensing keyword index

The searches medical students, residents, international medical graduates and hospital recruiters make most often, grouped by topic. Each term links to the page on this site that answers it.

Advertiser interest is our own relative estimate of how actively each topic is advertised (for example, student loan refinancing draws far more bidders than exam definitions). Check current search volume and cost per click in Google Ads Keyword Planner before planning a campaign.

State medical license requirements

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
medical license requirements by stateCompare every state's rulesMediumState directory
how many years of residency for a medical licenseMinimum training (PGY) yearsLowLicensure guide
medical license without finishing residencyLicensure after PGY-1 or PGY-2LowTopics
state medical board requirementsBoard contacts and formsLowState pages
interstate medical licensure compactFaster multi-state licensingMediumLicensure guide
FCVS credentials verificationHow to build a credentials fileLowLicensure guide
board certification ABMS vs ABPSSpecialty certification after residencyLowLicensure guide

USMLE and COMLEX board prep

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
USMLE Step 1 prepStudy plan and resourcesHighTopics
USMLE Step 2 CK question bankBest qbank for the scored examHighTopics
USMLE Step 3 prepWhen and how to take Step 3HighTopics
USMLE attempt limits by stateHow many tries a board allowsLowLicensure guide
COMLEX Level 1 prepDO board study resourcesHighTopics
NBME practice testSelf-assessments and readinessMediumTopics
shelf exam prepClerkship exam studyMediumTopics

International medical graduates (IMG) and ECFMG

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
ECFMG certificationRequirements and stepsMediumLicensure guide
IMG residency requirements by stateTraining years for foreign graduatesMediumMap, IMG layer
foreign doctor license without residencyAlternative licensure pathwaysMediumTopics
provisional medical license for foreign doctorsStates with supervised provisional licensesMediumIMG pathways
IMG friendly statesWhere IMGs are welcomedMediumTopics
J-1 waiver physician jobsConrad 30 positionsHighTopics
H-1B residency programsVisa-sponsoring programsMediumLicensure guide

Medical student loans and physician finance

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
medical school loansHow to fund medical schoolHighTopics
private medical school loansCompare private lendersHighLicensure guide
refinance medical school loansLower rates after trainingHighTopics
resident student loan refinanceLow payments during residencyHighTopics
federal loan limits medical school 2026New Direct Loan capsMediumTopics
PSLF for physiciansLoan forgiveness while workingMediumTopics
physician mortgage loanHome loans for doctorsHighTopics
disability insurance for residentsOwn-occupation coverageHighTopics
residency relocation loanMoving costs before first paycheckMediumTopics

Physician jobs, salary and demand

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
physician salary by stateWhere doctors earn mostMediumJobs map, pay layer
physician jobsOpen positionsHighJobs map
physician shortage by stateWhere doctors are neededLowJobs map
states with highest demand for doctorsRanked hiring demandMediumJobs table
rural physician jobsRural and underserved rolesHighJobs map
physician recruitmentHospitals hiring doctorsHighRecruiter panel
NHSC loan repaymentService-for-repayment programsMediumLicensure guide

Residency and the Match

Search termWhat the searcher wantsAdvertiser interestAnswered on
residency matchHow the NRMP Match worksMediumLicensure guide
ERAS applicationApplying to programsMediumLicensure guide
ACGME accredited residencyAccreditation and board eligibilityLowLicensure guide

"[State] medical license requirements"

Searches that name a state are answered on that state's own page, with training years for U.S. graduates and IMGs, alternative pathways, job market data and the board's official site.

This index describes what people search for and where we answer it. It is not advice. See the legal disclaimer at the bottom of every page.